Book cover of Telling Lies for Fun & Profit

Book description

Characters refusing to talk? Plot plodding along? Where do good ideas come from anyway? In this wonderfully practical volume, two-time Edgar Award-winning novelist Lawrence Block takes an inside look at writing as a craft and as a career.

From studying the market, to mastering self-discipline and "creative procrastination," through coping…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Telling Lies for Fun & Profit as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This is not a how-to book. It’s a series of essays written by a really smart and funny guy about something at which he excels: writing fiction.

He offers great advice, often with his tongue planted firmly in cheek. His essay on rewriting is titled Washing Garbage. His essay on getting to the finish line is titled Do It Anyway. His great advice: “Give yourself permission to write badly.” I like to have it on my bedside table for leavening those moments when I take myself too seriously.

If you love Telling Lies for Fun & Profit...

Ad

Book cover of Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac Arrest by Elizabeth Amber Love,

Farrah Wethers struggles with her new midlife career as a massage therapist. Her wealthy client is murdered on her table making her suspect number one. Can Farrah and her best friend, June Cho, sort through the suspects to find the real killer?

If you love the hijinks of Only Murders…

Want books like Telling Lies for Fun & Profit?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Telling Lies for Fun & Profit.

Browse books like Telling Lies for Fun & Profit

Book cover of Plot & Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips Readers from Start to Finish
Book cover of The Business of Being a Writer
Book cover of Hitchcock: A Definitive Study of Alfred Hitchcock

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,277

readers submitted
so far, will you?